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Review:
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Here’s already the fourth studio-album from the British
prog folk formation Karnataka, founded halfway the Nineties.
Meanwhile a lot of changes in the line-up took place, nowadays
only Ian Jones (bass and caoustic guitar) is an original
member that played on their eponymous debut CD (1998).
Before I started to listen to this new album, I had
never heard a single note so Gathering Light is my first
musical encounter with Karnataka. And it’s a pleasant one,
I like their modern and melodic progressive rock that is
build around Lisay Fury her wonderful voice and Enrico Pinna
his outstanding guitar work, backed by a decent rhythm-section
and modern sounding keyboards. In general the eight tracks
alternate between mellow climates and compelling atmospheres
with a very tasteful colouring, from bagpipes (The Calling)
to tender piano runs and an intense Floydian solo (Moment
In Time) and violin and classical guitar (Forsaken). My
highlight on this disc is the epic final composition (close
to 15 minutes), her we can enjoy Karanataka in its full
splendor: a spacey intro with soaring keyboards and bagpipes,
then a fine mid-tempo featuring howling guitar and sparkling
piano runs, then de moods shift frequently very flowingly,
in the end the band treat us on a slow rhythm delivering
another very moving guitar solo, this is Prog Heaven!***
Karnataka doesn't play complex or surprising progrock
but it sounds very pleasant, I am sure fans of bands like
Magenta and Mostly Autumn will very pleased with this new
album by Karnataka.*** Rating: 3 of 5 Stars! [3 of 5 Stars!]
Erik
Neuteboom
Progwalhalla.nl
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